Land use efficiency and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa) under various irrigation regimes and intercropping system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai to assess the land use efficiency and productivity of rice under intercropping system. Treatments consisted of six irrigation regimes viz., IW (depth of irrigation water) / CPE (Cumulative pan evaporation) ratio 1 up to harvest, IW/CPE 0.75 up to 60 days thereafter IW/CPE 1, IW/CPE 0.75 up to 60 days thereafter IW/CPE 1.25, IW/CPE 0.75 up to 60 days thereafter IW/CPE 1.50, IW/CPE 1 up to 60 days thereafter IW/CPE 1.25 and IW/CPE 1 up to 60 days thereafter IW/CPE 1.50 and three cropping system viz., Rice alone, Rice + Blackgram and Rice + Greengram. Results revealed that application of irrigation water at different levels and cropping systems markedly influenced the growth, yield components and yield of rice. The maximum value of growth and yield components were recorded with the application of irrigation IW/CPE ratio of 1 up to 60 days thereafter IW/CPE ratio of 1.50 and among the cropping systems aerobic rice alone showed significantly higher growth and yield. Water productivity is higher in irrigation with IW/CPE ratio of 1 up to 60 days thereafter 1.50. The land equivalent ratio (LER) also revealed both the intercropping systems were advantageous. The results encourage the options of pulses could be grown as inter crop in rice.